We often say that it takes a village to raise a child and you are a member of our village. On this page, you will find fun-filled and engaging resources for students who are now learning from home. You will also find support for parents/guardians as you support your child’s remote learning, balance the challenge of working from home with children, and keep your family safe, learning, and active. Whether you are looking for an activity to do with your child or seeking a way for your child to engage while you hop on a work call, here are our school-approved resources to help you navigate life at home.

Tune in with the Extended Care Team

We sure miss with being you, but we look forward to playing and creating with you virtually. Follow along to one of our video tutorials, hosted by the familiar and friendly faces of the Hillbrook Extended Care Team!

Here are some activities for siblings to play together. These allow older siblings to step up and practice leadership while everyone flexes their cooperation, community rule-making, and flexibility muscles.

Games

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How to play: Use a small kiddy hockey stick or make your own out of cardboard to navigate a balloon into a net (use a laundry basket or box on its side if you don’t have any smaller ones to bring indoors).

How to play: Make a “net” by tying a piece of string between 2 chairs and then have your child hit the balloon back and forth by running from one side to the other, trying to keep it off the floor. If you have 2 or more kids, have them hit it over the net as many times as they can without it falling.

How to play: You can prepare the categories and ideas ahead of time or you can let the kids create them when they’re ready to play. It’s easy, just write the ideas on strips of paper, put them in a basket, bowl, or a hat, and then allow each person to draw one on their turn. The categories can be anything from objects to people, and if you’re playing with children who can’t read, you can use flashcards with pictures on them. Word Bank

How to play: Choose some of your kids’ favorite tunes and turn up the volume. Ask them to dance until the music stops. When it does, they have to freeze in whatever position they find themselves in–even if they have one leg up. To make the game more challenging, ask the kids to freeze in specific poses: animals, shapes, letters or yoga poses.

You can’t be too little for this version of basketball. All you need is a bucket and a rolled up sock (or a small, light ball). Each player takes a turn at throwing the sock-ball into the bucket. When a player scores a bucket, they take a step back and throw again until missing. The player who shoots the ball in the bucket from the farthest distance wins.

How to play: A great way to reuse water bottles (or you can purchase an indoor bowling set). Line six-10 water bottles up at the end of your hall or living room. Place a line of duct tape at the starting line. Grab a medium-sized indoor ball and start bowling! If you want, keep score and give out trophies at the end. (Note: if you need to stabilize the water bottles or make the game more difficult, simply fill them up with some water. Don’t forget to screw the tops on tightly!)

How to play: This traditional favourite will never get old. To start, choose one player (probably a parent for the first round) to be Simon. The rest of the players will gather in a circle or line in front of Simon as Simon calls out actions starting with the phrase “Simon says." For example: “Simon says…touch your toes.” The players then have to copy Simon’s action, touching their toes. If Simon calls out an action without uttering the phrase “Simon says,” the kids must not do the action. If a child touches their toes when Simon didn’t say, they are out of the game. There are lots of great ways Simon can trick players into doing actions when Simon didn’t say: Simon can perform an action without uttering a command, for example, or Simon can perform an action that doesn’t correspond with the command. Fun! The last player left in the game wins and becomes the next Simon.

How to play: The game is played on a grid that's 3 squares by 3 squares. You are X, your friend is O.The first player to get 3 of her marks in a row (up, down, across, or diagonally) is the winner. When all 9 squares are full, the game is over.

How to play: Kids love finding hidden objects—especially when there’s a prize at the end. Simply write your clues on some slips of paper—get creative. Place the first clue somewhere easy to find, like inside your child’s snack or cereal bowl. Then leave as many clues as you like around the house, making a trail to the final clue. Instead of a prize, the treasure hunt can lead to various coins around the house. This way the kids get to collect all the coins and put them in their piggy banks in the end.

How to play: Inspired by the beloved children's book! Hide a bear (or other stuffed animal) somewhere in your house and have your child find it (use “hot” or “cold” for younger kids who may need a bit of direction). You can even read the story before you get started to get into the bear-hunting mood.

Flexible Projects & Activities

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Construct a fort out of blankets-constructed indoors, made of sheets, blankets, cushions, pillows, clothes pegs, elastic bands, and fairy lights. All ages welcome. This space becomes a place for whispers or shouts, quiet time, watching films or playing, getting cuddly and cozy or fort battles.

If your child is into dance, theatre or just loves to be the star of the show, challenge them to choreograph a one-minute solo routine that they’ll have to perform in front of their loyal fans (you). Not only does this get kids thinking creatively and working independently (aka you get a break), it also gets their blood flowing as they practice over and over again until it’s just right.

Use your painter’s tape to make a huge road system for your kids’ matchbox cars. Think outside the box and have the track scale furniture and other obstacles (just make sure it’s something you don’t mind toy vehicles being “driven” over). The key to making it active is to make it large-scale, so they are engaging their core muscles while crawling all over.

Children can create their very own play (and adults or older siblings can provide the audience!). The only catch is that they have to create it around an active prompt given to them by the audience–this could be a sport, activity (karate, dance, gymnastics), or another favorite scenario. For instance, a Circus Show would be full of juggling (attempts at least) and jumping through hoops. Once they’re ready to perform, video tape it so it feels like a real production (plus kids love to watch themselves on tape so you’ll get a moment of rest while the replay airs).

How to play: Choose some of your kids’ favorite tunes and turn up the volume. Ask them to dance until the music stops. When it does, they have to freeze in whatever position they find themselves in – even if they have one leg up. To make the game more challenging, ask the kids to freeze in specific poses: animals, shapes, letters or yoga poses.

Kids love to dress-up, and this idea brings that love to the next level. Create a long runway out of tape and invite your fashionistas to perform their best walk while you pump the music. You can play the judge awarding points for style, creativity, and overall strut.

One of the major hallmarks of a Hillbrook education, reaching beyond and reaching out to our communities have become even more important now than ever. Here are some ways you can partner with your child to cultivate community and reach out to connect with others even while we are sequestered at home.

Here are some suggestions from our Middle School students:

Make a home-cooked meal (try a new recipe!), do laundry, or wash dishes for your family

Spend time in nature

Read to a younger sibling and play games

Skype with family and friends, especially a grandparent who lives far away and might be lonely

Complete a design challenge to turn an old water bottle into a flower vase

Write a thank-you note for those supporting our community

Support our local businesses that can stay open

Consider the impacts of COVID-19 on specific at-risk communities such as refugees, immigrants, single parent/income households, etc.

Self-Guided Learning & Explorations

While the adults dial into their next Zoom meeting, here are some activities that even our youngest learners can explore, exercising their ability to choose and engage in an area of curiosity.

Dan Gutman Reads to Kids on Facebook Live - Each year, 4th grade students are treated to a video conference with author Dan Gutman. Our students come to this meet-and-greet after having read a story from Gutman's Baseball Card Adventures series and love being able to ask Gutman questions about the book and about life as an author. As we self-quarantine, Gutman is reading aloud and sharing his humor with viewers on Facebook Live.